Serbia: political novice as stabilising PM?
In a surprise move, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić has appointed endocrinologist Djuro Macut, who has a good reputation as a doctor but has no experience in politics, to form a new government for the country, which has been rocked by continuous protests. Macut now has until 18 April, otherwise new elections will be held. Commentators take a close look at why Macut has been chosen for this role.
Vučić still pulls the strings
Dnevnik also praises Macut, but doesn't believe he will play much of a role for long:
“Such experimental appointments are typical for crisis situations in which familiar, tried and tested names are no longer socially acceptable. And the doctor has at least displayed a lot of courage. Harry Truman once said about politics: 'If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,' and Serbian politics and society are a hot cauldron that the authorities are desperately trying to cool - in this case by presenting Dr Macut as an apolitical prime minister. But his role will be more or less provisional. ... In some countries an unknown expert might manage to surprise us, but in Serbia it's clear who's pulling the strings.”
Cast as the good guy
It's no coincidence that a professor looks set to become prime minister, Vreme observes:
“In a situation in which most university professors are solidly backing the students whose protests have been blocking the faculties for more than four months, Vučić has pulled this untainted medical professor from up its sleeve. ... The idea is that he will shine in contrast to the 'criminal clan of professors' who have been 'hired by foreign secret services' to incite the students to undermine the state. ... The first key task of the future prime minister will be to crush the rebellion at Serbian universities. ... Macut has been cast in the role of the good professor who wants to teach, as opposed to his evil colleagues who want to destroy the state.”